Fr Sam excited to help lead vocations renewal

As the youngest priest in the Diocese of Broken Bay, there are few who understand what it takes for a young man to take the leap and enter the priesthood in the 21st century more than Fr Sam French.

Ordained to the priesthood in 2021, Fr Sam was appointed by Bishop Anthony Randazzo to be the diocesan Director for Vocations, beginning in January, replacing Fr Paul Durkin who was appointed Vice-Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd.

“I think the thing I'm most excited about is being part of the vocations renewal in the Diocese of Broken Bay,” says Fr Sam.

“From the moment Bishop Anthony was installed in the diocese, he has really been pushing and promoting a clear and thorough vision of vocations. When there's that kind of support coming from your bishop, there's a real sense the possibilities can explode as far as vocations are concerned.”

When Fr Sam joined the seminary in 2016, he was the first Broken Bay local to enter in more than a decade. There are now seven young men preparing for the priesthood in Broken Bay, including Fr Sam’s brother Matthew.

“Broken Bay was almost forgotten about in seminary culture but it’s now had a complete turnaround. There's a growing vibrancy in the diocese and that's super exciting,” says Fr Sam. “It’s great being part of that mission, being part of that revival and it feels like the vocations culture in the diocese is really coming back. Riding that wave is just a very exciting prospect in and of itself.”

Fr Sam credits the work of Bishop Anthony, his predecessor Fr Paul

Durkin, and the support of the Vocations Office, including Fr Stephen Wayoyi and Michelle Chahine, for building a vocational culture within the Diocese.

“It's got to be part of the culture and if it's not baked into the cake of what the diocese is, it's not going to happen,” he says.

“Our priests need to preach about it and vocations need to be put on the map front and centre as a realistic possibility. Just as we speak ad nauseam about career opportunities at the end of the HSC, we need to be talking about the call to marriage, the call to priesthood and the call to single consecrated life because they are ultimately the avenues by which we find salvation.”

The vocation renewal goes well beyond Broken Bay too. This year, 17 new seminarians entered the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, the most since 1986. Fr Sam believes it’s a know about this and for it to be spoken about,” says Fr Sam.

“When I was growing up in Woy Woy parish, every day after daily Mass, they would pray the prayer of vocations and they'd be praying for more priests to enter into God's harvest. The fruits of those prayers are starting to be brought in now and it's a sign of great encouragement in the life of the church.”

While he is resident at Wahroonga Parish, Fr Sam intends to make his way around the Diocese to promote vocations across the parishes, helping to encourage and build relationships with those discerning vocation.

“If you are a young man or woman who hears the call of God on your heart in a particular way, do not be afraid to listen to that call,” he says.

“Always feel free to reach out to myself, Fr Stephen or Michelle in the

Second year seminarian Paul Cunningham received the blessing of the cassock and surplice at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd’s opening Mass on February 1. The wearing of a cassock symbolises obedience, chastity and poverty, to live a life dedicated to Christ, service and the gospel.

Hien Vu will enter his seventh year of seminary formation. He arrived in Australia from Vietnam in 2016 and has been studying at the seminary since 2017.

Huy Tran, Shayne D’Cunha and Tan Nguyen have entered their fifth year of seminary formation and been given one-year pastoral placements within the Diocese.

Tan will be on pastoral placement

Matthew French, brother of Fr Sam French, is entering his third year at the seminary.

Rosan Mathew has completed his seminary studies and is on longterm placement at the Hornsby Cathedral Parish.

Please keep all our seminarians in your prayers as they journey towards priestly ministry.